EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele have expressed belief that Serbia can make final steps so that a decision on granting Serbia the EU candidacy would be made in February.
We are convinced that Serbia can make final steps and make sure that a decision on granting an EU candidate status is made in February, Ashton and Fuele stated for the Belgrade-based daily Press.
Pointing out they are very encouraged by the progress achieved in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue conducted with the EU mediation, they said that the latest agreement achieved only one week ago, and the recent positive signals in implementing the earlier reached agreements indicate that things are moving in the right direction.
They stressed they are very encouraged by the progress Serbia achieved in the past several years and months, adding that they would like to congratulate President Boris Tadic, the Serbian government and the Serbian people on that.
The decision of the European Council is a recognition of this progress. It is also a clear sign that the EU wants to welcome Serbia, and expects further strenghtening of cooperation with Serbia, the European officials added.
They pointed out that they are very satisfied with the fact that Serbia is fully cooperating with the ICTY, as well as with the significant progress in fulfilling the accession criteria and all requests from the stabilization and integration process. We particularly value the difficult reforms conducted in the field of the rule of law and judicial system. Those are huge accomplishments, they stated.
A summit of the European Council was held on December 9, at which it was decided that the EU Foreign Ministers will decide on Serbia’s EU candidacy in February 2012, which will be verified by the European Council in March.
source emg.rs
